Montgomery Co. Public Schools electric school bus vendor files lawsuit against competitor

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — 7News is learning more about a lawsuit filed on Nov. 21 by the electric school bus vendor hired by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

HET MCPS. LLC along with HEF-P BALTIMORE CITY, LLC, and HEF-P MANASSAS. LLC filed the lawsuit against competitor AutoFlex Fleet and its owner Luis MacDonald.

The three plaintiffs are affiliated with Massachusetts-based Highland Electric Fleets...

...Janis Sartucci of the Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County told 7News, “We have to respect the inspector general. We’ve got to have some oversight. We’ve got to have someone we trust to look at this contract and all the contracts the board of education enters into.”

Montgomery Co. Public Schools electric school bus vendor files lawsuit against competitor

Superintendent Thomas Taylor Not Available to Discuss $1.5M @mcps @mocoboe

Montgomery Co. Council questions MCPS on shortcomings of electric school bus contract

“What we’re looking at here is a failure at every level,” Janis Sartucci of the Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County told 7News.

“What’s needed now is a dedicated inspector general for Montgomery County Public Schools,” she said.

7News requested an interview with MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor to find out what he’s doing to correct the problem.

MCPS Public Information Officer Liliana Lopez told us he wasn’t available...

https://wjla.com/news/local/montgomery-county-public-schools-mcps-electric-school-bus-contract-costs-maryland-students-transportation-mismanagement-inspector-general-report-wasteful-spending-concerns

Urban Design Firm WXY Is at the Center of the Country’s Most Contentious School Integration Work — From New York City to Maryland. Who Are They, Exactly?

Acontentious process to promote school integration in Queens is moving forward after being temporarily derailed by parent protests, many targeting the firm contracted to lead what will likely be impassioned and complex community discussions around race and equity.

Although meetings for a potential diversity plan to integrate and share resources among District 28’s 13 middle schools are now slated to start next month, many parents are unhappy with how little they know about WXY Studio, a New York City-based architecture and urban design firm whose work has been at the center of high-profile school integration efforts around the country...

“When we see an outside consultant coming in, that causes us concern, because we know that when parents want information about the process … the odds are pretty good we’re going to be given roadblocks,” said Janis Sartucci of the Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County...

https://www.the74million.org/article/urban-design-firm-wxy-is-at-the-center-of-the-countrys-most-contentious-school-integration-work-from-new-york-city-to-maryland-who-are-they-exactly/

7 On Your Side: Maryland bill to protect children may not be effective

Update: This bill did not pass in the 2018 legislative session.